UNDP launches a new project on energy efficiency in water management system of Turkmenistan

Nov 23, 2015

Ashgabat, 23 November 2015: The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) together with the Ministry of Water Economy of Turkmenistan launched a new project “Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy for Sustainable Water Management in Turkmenistan”. The inception seminar took place in Awaza touristic zone, Turkmenbashi city on November 18-19, 2015.

Co-funded by the Global Environment Facility and the UNDP this project will provide support for the Ministry of Water Economy, specialists of water management sector and farmers to adopt science based energy efficient water management and sustainable land management practices through conducting specific pilot projects and associated research activities.

“Due to increased greenhouse gas emissions in the world, the lack of the drinking water and increased temperatures of the air is observed globally. In this regard, Turkmenistan pays special attention to environment protection. Agriculture consumes majority of the water resources and our government aims at its sustainable long-term growth. For this reason, Turkmenistan supports such projects as EERE aimed at optimizing energy consumption and water management,” stated Mr. Baygeldi Bayjanov, Department Head at the Ministry of Water Economy.

Participants of the event were presented the project objectives, planned pilot projects and expected outcomes. Representatives of eight ministries, the Academy of Science of Turkmenistan, the Agricultural University and three district administrations of the Akhal region have discussed project management and implementation issues as well as planned activities for the coming 2016.

Participants have also conducted a practical work on case studies of water and energy conservation in Turkmenistan, raised important theoretical questions and made relevant suggestions on how to improve the work of the project on the designing stage of piloting of the planned activities.